What best describes the main function of a urine preservative?

The primary purpose of a urine preservative is to prolong specimen stability and prevent degradation. Urine can undergo various changes, such as bacterial growth, chemical breakdown, and changes in pH, shortly after being collected, which can lead to inaccurate test results. By using a preservative, these alterations are minimized, ensuring that the sample remains representative of the patient’s condition at the time of collection.

This stability is vital for both routine urinalysis and additional testing, as it allows for more reliable results when the sample is analyzed later in the laboratory. Preservatives can inhibit enzymatic activity and prevent bacterial growth, thereby maintaining the integrity of the constituents within the urine for a longer period.